About me

As head of our Finance & Insurance practice in Estonia, I am driven to contribute to the development of Estonian capital markets and the economy in general. Advising ambitious fast-growing companies, serving on the board of clients and industry organisations, seeking to enhance good corporate governance: I aim to serve as a strategic partner in legal matters for business owners and CEOs.

Professional highlights

Precedent-setting cases. I have enjoyed the privilege of leading cases setting precedents in Estonian legal history. We advised Nasdaq on consolidating its depository businesses in the Baltic States: the first-ever transaction of its kind enabled under the then newly adopted European Central Securities Depositories Regulation. We also advised Baltic Horizon Fund on a public offering combined with dual listing of its units on Nasdaq Tallinn and Stockholm stock exchanges. On behalf of Telia minority shareholders, we defeated the telecommunications giant in the country’s first major class-action lawsuit challenging the squeeze-out price. We represented Arco Vara shareholder Toomas Tool in the country’s first-ever market manipulation case and TR Majad whose corporate bond was the first ever to default in Estonia, prompting the Financial Supervision Authority to issue a guideline on security agents and emissions of non-public securities. We also advised on the Parex Banka bail-out by the Latvian government and subsequent creation of Citadele Banka. We have had the privilege of advising on the licencing process of LHV Bank, Inbank and Holm Bank.

Client-focused firm. As the partner responsible for business development in our firm, I have played a leading role in devising the related strategy, and regularly deliver training with the aim of promoting the culture and skills for all lawyers in focusing on clients’ needs and providing exact solutions.

New beginning. Anticipating that blockchain technologies will create new unseen opportunities, I am very much interested in the interface between blockchain technology, law and capital markets. We regularly advise on new blockchain based business models that aim to disrupt the financial services sector. I also lead an ICO focus group of Finance Estonia, a financial sector representative organization that seeks to establish a legal environment to offer investors protection in ICOs similar to that in conventional IPOs.

Giving back. I very much enjoy lecturing at the University of Tartu, where I read courses on Project Financing and Securities Regulations.

Academic background

University of San Diego, School of Law, USA (LLM in Comparative Law, cum laude)

University of California, School of Law and UC Davis Extension, USA (Course on Orientation in US Law)